There are claims that people are too fearful over measles vaccines.

The United Nations Children's Fund has released figures that show more than 20 million children worldwide are missing out on measles immunisation every year.

The cases of the disease around the world have nearly quadrupled, compared with the same period last year.

United Nations Children's Fund New Zealand's director Vivien Maidaborn told Tim Dower people get confused on what they should and shouldn't do.

"There is now strong evidence that people need to complete the immunisation program to be protected from measles." 

Maidaborn says people get overwhelmed by how much information is out there.

"It's very easy for people to get confused when there's information coming from many different sources.

"A lot of people have to realise you don't get immunised just for yourself, but for the communities you live in as well."